In just one month, the Trump administration has deported 20,000 undocumented migrants while border crossings plummet to historic lows not seen since the pandemic.
Key Insights
- Border Patrol arrests dropped 39% in January to 21,593, marking the lowest since May 2020 during the pandemic.
- The Trump administration has deported 20,000 illegal migrants in its first month, nearly matching Biden’s entire yearly deportation figures.
- ICE has recorded 33,000 arrests of at-large illegal immigrants in fiscal year 2024, with enforcement efforts running at approximately three times the rate of the previous year.
- Border czar Tom Homan reported daily border crossing numbers dropping below 200, potentially leading to 60-year record lows if the trend continues.
- Despite increased enforcement, the administration faces challenges including detention space limitations, sanctuary city policies, and pressure to accelerate deportations further.
Border Crossings Plummet Under Trump Administration
Border crossings have fallen dramatically since Trump took office, with January arrests declining 39% from December figures. The Border Patrol recorded just 21,593 arrests in January, down from 47,316 in December, reaching the lowest level since May 2020 during the height of the pandemic. This significant decrease follows a consistent downward trend from December 2023’s peak of 250,000 arrests. The decline began under Biden’s administration after the introduction of strict asylum restrictions in June and increased enforcement efforts by Mexican authorities.
Border czar Tom Homan reported that daily arrest numbers have dropped to unprecedented levels, citing 229 arrests in a 24-hour period as the lowest he’s seen since becoming a Border Patrol agent in 1984. Early February data shows illegal migrant apprehensions at the southern border have fallen by over 90% compared to the same period in 2024. If this pattern continues, border crossings could reach 60-year lows, with recent figures dropping below 200 per day.
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 20, 2025
Aggressive Deportation Campaign Underway
The Trump administration has significantly ramped up interior enforcement operations, removing 20,000 illegal migrants in its first month alone. This figure approaches the total number of illegal migrants caught by ICE under the Biden administration throughout the entire previous year. Immigration authorities have intensified their efforts with targeted operations, including a recent ICE raid in Colony Ridge, Texas, which resulted in the arrest of 118 illegal migrants, many with criminal records.
“If you are here illegally, we will find you and deport you. You will never return” – Secretary Kristi Noem
To reinforce this message, the Department of Homeland Security has launched a multimillion-dollar video ad campaign featuring Secretary Kristi Noem warning potential migrants against illegal entry. The campaign explicitly states the administration’s commitment to deportation. Meanwhile, ICE reports 33,000 arrests of at-large illegal immigrants for fiscal year 2024, demonstrating the administration’s prioritization of interior enforcement alongside border security.
Challenges and Pressure to Accelerate Enforcement
Despite the increased pace of deportations, Trump administration officials, including border czar Tom Homan, express dissatisfaction with current progress. Homan has called for accelerating the arrest and removal of illegal immigrants, particularly those with criminal convictions. The administration faces significant obstacles in expanding detention capacity, already exceeding their budget for 41,500 detention beds and opening four federal prison facilities to accommodate the growing number of detainees.
“There are more criminal aliens that need to be arrested, hundreds of thousands.” – Tom Homan
In response to detention constraints, President Trump has authorized the use of Guantanamo Bay for holding up to 30,000 illegal immigrants. Additional challenges include resistance from sanctuary cities and information leaks that may compromise operations. Nevertheless, the administration remains committed to its enforcement goals. As Homan stated, “Sanctuary cities are putting roadblocks up. We’ve got leaks. So we need to increase the arrests of illegal aliens, especially those with criminal convictions. So we’re going to continue.”
Sources:
- Border arrests plummet 39% in January in an early gauge of Trump’s immigration policies
- Trump admin says it arrested almost as many migrants in a month as Biden did all last year
